Question - How does friction change the force needed to move different objects of different materials and weight.
Hypothesis - If the surface of the objects reacts differently to friction or the weight is heavier then you will have to exert more force to move it because there is more friction.
Materials - Three different surfaces, mass and a Newton meter.
Variables - Pt. 1: Independent V: amount of friction. Dependent V: force. Controlled V: weight, speed, shape, spring scale Pt. 2: independent V: weight. Dependent V: force. Controlled V: friction, shape, speed, spring scale.
Procedure - Part I 1. Draw a Data Table to record the different types of surfaces to be tested and the force needed to pull the block at a constant speed. Note that this data table should be included under the Data and Calculation section.
2. Place () grams in the box with the surface to be tested.
3. Attach your Newton meter to the block.
4. Using the Newton meter, try and pull the block along the surface. Note the force needed to pull the block at a constant speed and record in your Data Table.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for the other different surfaces.
Part II
1. Draw a second Data Table to record the different weights to be tested and the force needed to pull the block at a constant speed. Note that this data table should be included under the Data and Calculation section.
2. Place () grams on the block with the surface to be tested.
3. Attach your Newton meter to the block.
4. Using the Newton meter, try and pull the block along the surface. Note the force needed to pull the block at a constant speed and record in your second Data Table.
5. Repeat steps 2-4, placing different weights on the block.
6. Draw an x-y graph showing how the weight placed on the block affects the pulling force in Newtons. Note that this graph should be included in the Results and Analysis section.
Data and Calculation Data Tables -
Part 1: Weight - 1000
Trial 1
2
3
Average
Cork
8.7
8.5
8.8
8.6666
Plastic
2.2
1.9
2.0
2.03333
Carpet
2.6
2.6
2.5
2.56666
Pt. 2: Carpet
Trial 1
2
3
Average
1000
1.6
1.6
1.4
1.53333
1250
1.6
1.7
2.1
1.8
1500
2.0
2.4
2.2
2.2
It is easy to see that when the weight on the material was greater and the material was more resistant the amount of gravity increased along with the amount of force needed to pull them along the surface.
Conclusion and Evaluation
Conclusion - The question of this lab was: How does friction change the force needed to move different objects of different materials and weight. We thought that if the surface of the objects reacts differently to friction or the weight is heavier then you will have to exert more force to move it because there is more friction. We were correct. We did have to exert more force to move objects with a stickier surface and heavier weight. The more weight we added and the more resistant the material was the more friction there was.
Limitations or Experimental Design/Suggestions for Improvement - One thing that we could have done for the lab was to get a machine to pull our weighted surfaces so that they would move at a constant rate.
Final Lab Report
Question - How does friction change the force needed to move different objects of different materials and weight.
Hypothesis - If the surface of the objects reacts differently to friction or the weight is heavier then you will have to exert more force to move it because there is more friction.
Materials - Three different surfaces, mass and a Newton meter.
Variables - Pt. 1: Independent V: amount of friction. Dependent V: force. Controlled V: weight, speed, shape, spring scale
Pt. 2: independent V: weight. Dependent V: force. Controlled V: friction, shape, speed, spring scale.
Procedure -
Part I
1. Draw a Data Table to record the different types of surfaces to be tested and the force needed to pull the block at a constant speed. Note that this data table should be included under the Data and Calculation section.
2. Place () grams in the box with the surface to be tested.
3. Attach your Newton meter to the block.
4. Using the Newton meter, try and pull the block along the surface. Note the force needed to pull the block at a constant speed and record in your Data Table.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for the other different surfaces.
Part II
1. Draw a second Data Table to record the different weights to be tested and the force needed to pull the block at a constant speed. Note that this data table should be included under the Data and Calculation section.
2. Place () grams on the block with the surface to be tested.
3. Attach your Newton meter to the block.
4. Using the Newton meter, try and pull the block along the surface. Note the force needed to pull the block at a constant speed and record in your second Data Table.
5. Repeat steps 2-4, placing different weights on the block.
6. Draw an x-y graph showing how the weight placed on the block affects the pulling force in Newtons. Note that this graph should be included in the Results and Analysis section.
Data and Calculation
Data Tables -
Part 1: Weight - 1000
Pt. 2: Carpet
Conclusion and Evaluation
Conclusion - The question of this lab was: How does friction change the force needed to move different objects of different materials and weight. We thought that if the surface of the objects reacts differently to friction or the weight is heavier then you will have to exert more force to move it because there is more friction. We were correct. We did have to exert more force to move objects with a stickier surface and heavier weight. The more weight we added and the more resistant the material was the more friction there was.
Limitations or Experimental Design/Suggestions for Improvement - One thing that we could have done for the lab was to get a machine to pull our weighted surfaces so that they would move at a constant rate.